Dating in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Less than three weeks from now, thousands of Star Wars fans and I will be heading to Orlando (or Lando if some fans have their way) for Star Wars Celebration V. Yes, I’m heading to a Star Wars convention to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back. Oh, c’mon. You can’t say that you’re surprised.

It’s not the autograph sessions with Star Wars legends as Carrie Fisher or Mark Hamill. Nope. And it’s not the Main Event with George Lucas being interviewed by Jon Stewart that has me jazzed up. It’s Star Wars Speed Dating.

Yes, you read correctly. An opportunity to have 30 mini-blind dates with Star Wars Celebration V attendees. I haven’t registered for the speed dating (yet) for a variety of reasons, even though it’s included with registration. See them below.

My Four Five Reasons for Not Registering for Star Wars Speed Dating.

1. I’ve never participated in non-Star Wars speed dating and if I haven’t warmed to it in the mainstream society, will it be different with folks from a galaxy far, far away?

2. I’m not a big enough Star Wars fan. When I was a kid, I wanted to marry Hans Solo and collected Star Wars figures (okay, only three versions of Princess Leia, a Tonton and Hammerhead), dozens of trading cards and my most prized possession is an autographed photo from Carrie Fisher (a result of writing her a letter in 1977). I saw the original Star Wars trilogy – which was really the sequel to the prequel but produced before the prequel trilogy. (Yeah, that’s all confusing for us of non-Star Wars die hards.)

Does this make me a worthy mate candidate for a Wookie or Jedi? I’m afraid the ice breaker questions will be focused on the most minute Star Wars trivia and I’ll be clueless and unable to break the Hoth ice.

3. I’m concerned the dating pool will be slanted. Although it would make sense to have 50 guys to 10 girls, I’m thinking the opposite will happen. I’ve read a few Twitter posts with women saying they have registered for Star Wars Speed Dating but haven’t seen any Tweets from guys. Either guys don’t Tweet about this stuff or they just aren’t registering because there is so much other good Star Wars stuff happening concurrently.

4. Will there be anyone my age? For the record, I’m not a cougar! I’m 39-40-years-old (although I have minimal baggage compared to other women my age) and have no interest in dating a twenty-something.  Again, reviewing Twitter, most of the guys Tweeting with the event’s hashtag (#swcv), are at least a decade younger than me. Not that there’s anything wrong with it.

5. I never dressed up as Princess Leia for Halloween. I preferred dressing as cartoon mammals (Bianca from “The Rescuers”) or superheros (like Bat Girl). Although, I used to write “screenplays” and Star Wars-themed stories, maybe that qualifies me.

On the flip side, Star Wars Speed Dating seems like a lot of fun. In reality, will I see these guys again? Will I meet my Hans Solo? Probably not. Will I laugh and have a good time? Probably.

Will I, or won’t I? Or maybe I’ll just have a cold one at the Hoth Ice Bar. Stay tuned!